Assembler slide controlling and actuating mechanism



I Nov. 26, 1940.-

G. PANKUCH ASSEMBLER SLIDE CONTROLLING AND 'ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Febf 2o, 1940 .IIIL

INVENTOR George Pankuch ATTORNEY Patented Nev. 26,1940 y `2,222,878

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ASSEMBLEE SLIDE coNTRoLLiNG AND ACTUATTNG MEcHnNlsM George Pankueh, cleveland Heights, ohio Apeueauen February zo, 1940, serial NQ. 319,884

7 claims. (C1. 199%30) This invention relates to the matrix assemand particularly set forth in the appended bling mechanism of a keyboard controlledA type claims, togetherwith vsuch variations and modicasting machine, and more particularly to the iications thereof as Vwill be apparent to one operating mechanism for the assembler slide skilled in the art to which the invention perwhich serves to hold the line of matrices comtains.

pactly together as matrices are delivered by the Reference should be had to the accompany- 5 keyboard controlled mechanism to the asseming drawing `forming a part of this specification, bling elevator. in which:

The assembler slides of type casting machines Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of have heretofore beenA provided with springs of the matrixV feed mechanism, the elevator, the 10 various types for returning them to their initial assembler slide and itsactuating mechanism; position upon each actuation of the elevator Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the slide actuating following the assembly of a line of matrices upon pulley and its driving means viewed as indithe elevator, a trip operated brake or detent cated at 2-2 in Fig. 1;

being provided which is operative to prevent Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line indicated 15' rearward movement of the slide until after an at 3`3 in Fig. 1; i assembled line of matrices has been lifted by Fig. 4 is a sectional detailview showing the the elevator to a position clear of the slide. attachment of the exible slide operating band Since there may be considerable variation in to the slip ring onthe actuating pulley; and y the length of the line of matrices assembled on Fig. 5 is a plan view of the attachment shown 20 the elevator, and the tension of the return spring in Fig. 4. gk n must be suicient to positively return the slide In the accompanyingudrawing the invention from any position in which it may occupy when is shown applied to a Linotype machine, only the elevator is lifted, it is difficult to provide a those parts of the machine which coact with the spring which will have suicient tension for inassembler slide being shown. A portion of the 25 suring return movements of the slide which will elevator I upon which the lines of matrices are not exert too much pressure upon the line of assembled is shown, the elevatori havingalongimatrices being assembled. Since the feed of tudinally slotted channel 2 which receivesv the matrices is keyboard controlled and the mamatrices which are delivered to the channel by chine operators acquire the ability to operate a delivery belt 3 and a star wheel 4. The de- 30 the keys with great rapidity, it is necessary that livers7 belt, 3 iS C0lfllflllellslyy dI'Ven by e belt 5 the movements of the elevator and slide be and the star wheel 4 is continuously `driven by quite rapid. Furthermore, if the pressurer exsuitable gearing from the delivery'belt pulley erted by the slide upon the line of matrices is shaft. A slide bar 6 extends into the elevator not properly regulated, matrices may be thrown channel slot and has a lug 'l against which the 35 out onto the floor by the feed mechanism instead rst matrix of the line engages and against of being delivered into the line of matrices on which the line of matrices in the elevator chanthe elevator. y nel is pressed. Y The present invention has for its object to pro- The slide bar 6 is moved forwardly intothe 40 vide a clutch controlled power operated mechaelevator I by `the matrices aS they are assembled 40 nism for effecting the return movement of the in the Channel 2, and movements of the slide assembler slide, the slide actuating mechanism bar 6 are controlled by a brake 8 having shoes including a frictional driving connection which 9 and I0. engageable with the top and bottom serves to limit the force applied to the slide. surfaces of the bar 6. The brake 8 is suspended A-further object of the invention is to provide from a fixed pivot Il above the bar 6. Swinging 45 a slide actuating and controlling mechanism movements ofthe brake 8 cause-the Shoes Send which provides a substantially uniform drag l0 to press against OPDOSte feces ofthe Slide on the slide during lthe assembly of a line of bar so as to resist movements thereof. The brake matrices ony the elevator and which provides a 8 is normally supported in substantially vertical substantially uniformly timed return movement position, which permits the slide bar 6 lto be 50 of the slide. moved forwardly. The brake 8 may be provided With the above and other objects in View, the with a lever extension I2v for manual operation. invention may be said to comprise the assembler The brake 8 was originally designed to control slide operating mechanism as illustrated in the the movements of the slide by a retracting spring,

accompanying drawing, hereinafter described rearward movementof the brake, causing the 55 tical arm I5 engageable with thel rear side of' the brake 8 below the pivot II andv ahorizontal forwardly extending arm I5. v an adjustable stop member in the formof a vertical screw I1 which engages Athe under side of the rearward end of the 'trip 'lever I8, vthe screw I1 being adjustable to properly'posi-tionl- The lever I8 is carried the levers i3 and I8. by a xed pivot I9 located betweenfthe ends of the leven/and the rear`y endy 20 of thelever I8 extends into the elevatorslot in the path of 4 a web member 2l adjacent the lower end of the elevator. Y

When a line of matrices has been assembled in the channel 2 of the elevator 'I, the elevator is moved vertically, lifting the line of -matrices clear of the lug 1. The line of matrices is-removed from the elevator by transfer mechanism (not shown) and the elevator is lowered to matrix receiving position. Duringupward movement of the elevator the web member 2 IY engages the forward end 28 of the lever "I8, rocking the lever about its pivot I9 and depressing the'arm I6 of the lever I3, causing thebrake-8 to bel swung forwardly to release the pressure of the shoes 9 and I0 on the slide bar 6 and -permit return-movement of the slide bar.

'Ihe'rmechanism above described is the conventional line assembly mechanism of a Linotype machine. The present improvement consists of a slide return `mechanism operated bythe driving mechanism of the machine, provided with controlling means by which its operation is timed with reference to the operation of the elevator and controlling the brake to maintain a substan tially uniform pressure on the lines of matrices as they are being assembled. l

The slide retracting mechanism is in the form of a power driven unit carried by` a bracket 22 adapted to be detachably secured to the frame of the machine rearwardly of the `'slide 6. The bracket 22 has a forked vvertical arm 23 which is adapted to straddle a frame bolt 24 by which the bracket may be rigidly secured to a side rail 25 of the machine. The bracket 22 has a-horizontal arm 26 adapted to rest uponfthe Vtop'face of the rail 25 and having a bearing portion 21 in which is journaled a tubular shaft 28. The shaft 28 has a driving pulley 29 secured to its inner end by a pin 30 and a clutch disk 3| fixed to its outer end. The pulley Y29 engages the drive belt 5 adjacent a driving pulley 32. The bracket 22 -also has an arm 33 pivoted thereto which carries a tightener pulley 34 at its outer end. The belt 5 passes-under the pulley 29 and over the tightener pulley 34, which may beadjusted lvertically to tighten the belt 5 by means of a screw 35 carried by the arm 33 and engageable with the top of the rail 25. The pulley 29, shaft I8, and clutch disk 3l are continuously driven by the belt 5.

A shaft 35 is slidably and rotatably mounted inthe tubular shaft 28 and a coilspring 31 is interposed between the inner end of the shaft 36 and the pin 30. At its outer end the shaft 36 has a threaded portion 38 of reduced diameter upon which is mounted a reel 39 which is clamped on the reduced portion 38 by a nut 40. The reel 39 is normally held in a position clear of the clutch disk 3I by means of the coil spring 31. The clutch disk 3I has a lug 4I on its outer face with which a pin 42 carried by the reel 39 engages when the reel is moved inwardlyin opposition to the spring 31 to cause the reel 39 to turn with the shaft 29. The pin 42 is preferably so mounted in the reel 39 that it may move f axiallyif itengages the outer face of the lug The arm -II'-hasr Y 4I upon inward movement of the reel. -As herein shown, the pin 42 is disposed parallel to the `axis ofthe reel 39 and has a `head 43 which l'seats in a counterbore in the outer face of the reel. YAleaf spring 44 on the outer face of thc reel 39 engages the head 43 and yeldably holds the pin in Yits innermost position.

They reel 39 has aperipheral tapered groove 45 and is connected `to the slide 6 by means of a flexible band 46fwhich extends fromr the per-ipheral groove of the reelI 39 'to the rear lendof -the slidel. One yend of the band 46-is detachably secured to the slide 6 and the opposite end has a slip connection to the reel. The connection of theband- 46fto the reel is through` a flexiblesteel ring 41 which encircles the freer 39 in the groove 45vand which is restrained from turning movement on the reel only by its frctional engagementy with the wallsof :the reel groove. The rear end-of theband 46,V which may be made of leather or other suitablerflexible material, is secured to the ring 41. The ring 41 is preferably of a length to encircle ythe reel 39 and may-be secured in place by the band 46. As shown-in Figsllhand 5,-the band-46-has its end secured to an-end portiony of the ring 41, extends around the pulley, and is secured vagain to-thesame end portion of Athe ring 41. The end of the band 46 may-be clamped to an-end portion of the ring 41 bya-pair of lugs- 48 integral with the ring 41, extends around thefpulley over-the ring 41, and

may be secured to the same end port-ion of the` bandA by a Ysecond pair -of lugs- 49.V

The pull exertedI by the band 46 on the -slide 6 iselimiftedto the sliding =friction between the ring-41f and Athepulley 39. The return movement ofthe slide 6is effectedy by means 0f a device connected to the brake 8 and actingto shift the reel`39into clutching engagement with the disks -SIfWhen thebrake 8 is -swungforwardly.

l Thereel shifter comprises a lever arm 59 fixed to a verticalfpivotpin 5I journaled in a vertical bear-ing 52 in the bracket 22 and engageable with the reel clamping nut 48. The pin` 15| -extends below the lower end of the bearing-52 and 'has a laterallyextendingiarm 53 tolwhichA is pivotally connected one end of a pull -rod 54 which is pivotally connected atits opposite end to the lower shoe-of the-brake 8. Therod 54 may beaconnected to the 'shoe I0 by means of a screw 55 which' may vbe thescrew employed to-secure` the shoetothe brake arm. The-rod 54 is preferably made extensible by a turnbuckle l56.

Whenthebrake 8 is moved forwardly bythe lever fI3 actuated by the-elevator I- through the lever I8, the reel shifter arm 59 is actuated by the rod 54 to engage the reel 39 with the-clutch disk 3I to return the slide 6 to its rearmost position. Upon downward movement ofthe elevator I, the lever I8 is released and lthe spring 31 -disengages-the reel`39 and shifts-the brake 8 toits normal position. The pivot pin I has a stop arm 51 which engages with an adjustable stop in the form of a screw 58 in the bracket 22. By adjusting the turnbuckle 56 or the screw 58, the position occupied by the brake 8 during the assembly operation may be adjusted. A stop 59 on the rail 25 limits the rearward movement of the slide 6.

Since no rearward pull is exerted upon the slide bar 6 during the assembling of matrices on the elevator, it is not necessary for the brake to move rearwardly far enough to lock the slide. The brake, however, may be adjusted by means of the stop members I1 and 58 and the turnbuckle 56 to a position such that it will be held by the spring 31 in a position to exert frictional drag upon the slide bar 6 and impose a pressure upon the line of matrices between the lug 1 and star wheel 4 suflicient to insure the proper positioning of the matrices in the elevator channel 2.

The pressure upon the matrices being due to frictional drag, as distinguished from the action of a slide retracting spring, is substantially uniform regardless of the length of the line of matrices assembled on the elevator. By adjustment of the brake the frictional drag may be increased or decreased as desired.

The device of the present invention is adapted to be installed in a type casting machine without any alteration whatever of the mechanism of the machine other than removal of certain parts. The slide returning spring and its connections to the slide bar 6 are removed and the actuating unit shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is mounted on the rail 25 and connected to the slide and brake as shown in Fig. 1.

In the commercial machine the lever I3 is.

provided with a spring acting thereon in a direction to move the arm I4 forwardly. This spring vmay be removed upon installation of the device of the present invention, since the rearward movement of the brake 8 is limited by the pull rod 54 and stop arm 51.

The device of the present invention insures a rapid return of the slide bar 6 upon each actuation of the elevator I and insures a substantially uniform pressure on the line of matrices during assembly thereof, which pressure may be regulated to insure'smooth and certain feed of matrices to the elevator channel. Injury to the mechanism is prevented by the slip connection between the power operated actuator and the slide.

The device of the present invention is simple, compact, and inexpensive, may be applied at small cost to existing type casting machines, and contributes materially to the eiiiciency of operation of the assembling mechanism.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with the assembling elevator of a type casting machine, the mechanism for delivering matrices to the elevator and the assembler slide which is moved by the matrices as they are fed to the elevator, a slide retracting device comprising a power driven member normally disconnected from the slide, and means controlled by the elevator for connecting and disconnecting said power driven member and slide. 2. In combination with the assembling elevator of a type casting machine, the mechanism for delivering matrices to the elevator and the assembler slide which is moved by the matrices as they are fed to the elevator, a slide retracting device comprising a power driven member normally disconnected from the slide, means for -applying a frictional drag to said slide during the feeding of matrices to the elevator, and means controlled by the elevator for connecting and disconnecting said power driven member and slide.

3. In combination with the assembling elevator of a type casting machine, the mechanism for delivering matrices to the elevator and the assembler slide which is moved by the matrices as they are fed to the elevator, a continuously driven shaft, a reel, a band wound on said reel and connected to said slide, a clutch for connecting said reel to said shaft, and means controlled by the .elevator for actuating said clutch.

4. In combination with the assembling elevator of a type casting machine, the mechanism for delivering matrices to the elevator and the assembler slide which is moved by the matrices as they are fed to the elevator, a slide retracting device comprising a power driven member normally disconnected from the slide, a brake engageable with said slide, means for normally holding said brake in engagement with said slide, and means controlled by said elevator for simultaneously moving said brake to releasing position and connecting said power driven member to the slide.

5. In combination with the assembling elevator, matrix feed mechanism and assembler slide of a type casting machine, a continuously driven shaft, a clutch member carried by the shaft, a reel coaxial with said shaft and mounted for movement axially into engagement with said clutch member, a spring acting on said reel and normally holding the reel out of engagement with the clutch, a band wound on the reel and having a slip connection with the reel, said band being n i connected to said slide, and means controlled by the elevator for shifting the reel into engagen ment with said clutch member.

6. In combination with the assembling elevator, matrix feed mechanism and assembler slide of a type casting machine, acontinuously driven shaft, a clutch member carried by the shaft, a reel coaxial with said shaft and mounted for movement axially into engagement with said clutch member, a spring acting on said reel and normally holding the reel outk of engagementr with the clutch, a band wound on the reel and .having a slip connection with the reel, said band being connected to said slide, a brake engageable with the slide, a shifter engageable with said reel to move the same in opposition to said spring, a connection between said brake and shifter for holding said brake in slide engaging position while the reel is disengaged from the clutch, and means controlled by the elevator and acting on said brake to simultaneously move said brake to releasing positionand said reel into engagement with said clutch member.

7. In combination with the assembling elevator, matrix feed mechanism and assembler slide of a type casting machine, a continuously driven shaft, a reel, a clutch for connecting the reel to the shaft, a iiexible metal ring frictionally engaging the periphery of said reel and circumferentially slidable thereon, a band attached to said ring, wound thereon and attached to said slide, and means controlled by the elevator for actuating said clutch.

I GEORGE PANKUCI-I. 

